Monoecious trees or shrubs. Branchlets not obviously flattened, in several planes, with ultimate shoots angular. Juvenile lvs needle-like or subulate, in whorls of 4. Adult lvs scale-like, in whorls of 3-(4), lacking prominent dorsal gland. ♂ strobili (cones) solitary and terminal on short ultimate shoots, or several towards shoot apex, cylindric to oblong, usually yellow, with numerous stamens in whorls of 3. ♀ cones solitary or several on short lateral shoots, globose to ovoid, ripening in 1-2 years. Scales 6 or 8, in 2 whorls attached round central column, their bases uniting after fertilisation to appear as 1 whorl, the alternate scales (corresponding to outer whorl) shorter and narrower, with a subapical mucronate boss or umbo on each scale, smooth or verrucose; ovules 6-c. 55 to each scale. Mature cone persistent, sometimes enlarging after maturity. Fertile seeds 1-2-(3) on each scale, winged; cotyledons 2.